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as in doctrine
a statement or body of statements concerning faith or morals proclaimed by a church members of the church must abide by its canons

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in law
a collection or system of rules of conduct the ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility is a lawyer's canon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word canon distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of canon are law, ordinance, precept, regulation, rule, and statute. While all these words mean "a principle governing action or procedure," canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

the canons of good taste

When might law be a better fit than canon?

While in some cases nearly identical to canon, law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

obey the law

When is it sensible to use ordinance instead of canon?

The meanings of ordinance and canon largely overlap; however, ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

a city ordinance

When can precept be used instead of canon?

The synonyms precept and canon are sometimes interchangeable, but precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

the precepts of effective writing

In what contexts can regulation take the place of canon?

Although the words regulation and canon have much in common, regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

regulations affecting nuclear power plants

When would rule be a good substitute for canon?

In some situations, the words rule and canon are roughly equivalent. However, rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

the rules of the game

When could statute be used to replace canon?

While the synonyms statute and canon are close in meaning, statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

a statute requiring the use of seat belts

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of canon Depending on your appreciation for Steamboat Willie and the Disney canon, watching clips of the mouse’s original short film interspersed with modern-day graphic violence will leave you thrilled or horrified or both. Erik Piepenburg, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025 However, upon feedback from Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz and arranger Stephen Oremus to find her unique note within the Elphaba canon, Erivo let her vocals soar. Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 3 Jan. 2025 There was always loads of girls auditioning for less places, because traditionally, in the canon of work, there were more parts for men and less for women. Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 24 Dec. 2024 Why did the fans doubt the show's legitimacy in canon? Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for canon 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canon
Noun
  • Courts in at least five states – Montana, New York, Washington, Vermont and Oregon – have rejected the open fields doctrine, finding it’s not supported by their state constitutions.
    Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
  • OpenAI argued that the fair use doctrine protects them.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Even its close variant, Shea, hasn’t cracked the SSA’s list since 2008.
    Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2025
  • In the days since the fires first started — breaking out in the Pacific Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, and Sunset — the news out of the region has been a steady list of lives lost, homes burned, and local landmarks reduced to rubble.
    Clio Chang, Curbed, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • TikTok should remain available to Americans, but simply under American ownership or other ownership that addresses the national security concerns identified by Congress in developing this law.
    David Chiu, People.com, 19 Jan. 2025
  • The ban stems from a 2024 law that requires app stores and cloud computing providers to stop distributing or hosting TikTok unless it is sold by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
    David McCabe, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Madrasas emphasize Islamic theology, often with sectarian leanings, and Arabic, a language not widely spoken in Pakistan.
    Zia ur-Rehman, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Born and raised in Kuwait, Malik earned a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Nottingham in 2014 and then a second in theology from St. Mary’s University, Twickenham, London in 2023.
    ByDyna Rochmyaningsih, science.org, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Daniel Cole | Reuters Tesla started offering discounts on new Cybertruck vehicles in its inventory this week, according to listings on the company’s website.
    Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Northlake covers 120 acres, according to JLL’s property listing.
    Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • As the conversation of national identity burgeons, Canadians have the opportunity to choose how their country will function in the future and how the Canadian constitution is best structured to meet modern democratic expectations of the people.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Greenland became self-governed in 2009, and a change to its ownership or legal status would require an amendment to the Danish constitution, according to Reuters.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near canon

Cite this Entry

“Canon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canon. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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